BubbleStream

Robert Goluba

Hope Refreshed

Synopsis

Famous Bible parables like The Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son offer powerful messages of hope, love, and wisdom that can benefit our lives today.
Hope Refreshed brings six parables back to life again as they are retold as relatable, modern stories.
The plots are the same, yet each parable is transformed into a contemporary short story with dramatic plots and compelling characters in present-day predicaments. Each retold parable still delivers their messages of wisdom in the twenty-first century!
If you’re not familiar with these parables that’s okay, the stories were written with you in mind. Each retelling is entertaining, and the message in the parable is easily understood. If the parables are already familiar to you, the retelling will also entertain and reinvigorate your understanding of the messages that Jesus delivered two thousand years ago. All readers will appreciate the messages of grace, love hope, and redemption that have stood the test of time.

Author Biography

Robert Goluba was born and raised in Central Illinois, where he attended college, served in the Army National Guard, and met his wife. At age thirty, after a self-diagnosed allergy to snow, he moved to sunny Gilbert, Arizona, where he now lives with his beautiful wife and two daughters.

Author Insight

A Father's Forgiveness

Alex has really disappointed his family and especially his father with his poor decisions, but he knows his father still loves him.
This excerpt includes the point where Alex makes the decision, with the help of a volunteer at the homeless shelter, to stop running from his problem and call his father. The response to the call surprises even Alex.

Book Excerpt

Hope Refreshed

A grin stretched across Alex’s face as Roger walked over to him. “Hey, Alex. Good to see you again. How are you doing?”

“I’ve been better,” Alex said, still smiling. “Do you know that the employees who wash dishes in the basement of my family’s restaurant have it better than me?”

Roger just stared at Alex, without uttering a word.

Alex continued, “I used to think that was below me, but I can’t take this anymore. If my family will take me back, I’ll wash dishes in that hot basement for the rest of my life.” Alex stopped, expecting a response from Roger. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

Roger smiled and offered his cell phone to Alex. “Wanna call him now?”

The Return Alex took Roger’s phone and walked outside to the church’s concrete bench, where he had slept the night before. It was quiet there, and Alex wanted complete privacy for what he was about to do. He dialed Papa’s number and then paused. He took a deep breath and hit Send.

It seemed like an eternity, but on the third ring, his dad answered. “Hello?”

Alex froze. Warm emotions streamed through him at the sound of his father’s voice. He was choked up and did not know what to say.

Again, he heard his dad. “Hello. Is anyone there?”

Afraid Papa would hang up, Alex managed to summon enough air from his lungs to say, “Dad, it’s me. It’s Alex.” Alex braced himself because he was certain his father would yell or sigh in utter disappointment.

But Papa’s reaction was quite the opposite. He was ecstatic to have a call from his wayward son. “Alex! I am so happy to hear from you.” Alex could hear the emotion in his father’s voice. “Are you OK?”

Alex was not sure why, but his father’s concerned words had him suddenly sobbing uncontrollably. A massive wave of guilt came crashing over him, and he needed to purge every last bit of shame.